MSU Technologies

Polyethylene Implants with Controlled Immune Response

Executive Summary

Polyethylene is commonly used as a material for medical implants such as total joint replacements. Unfortunately, polyethylene wear particles can promote adverse host immune responses in patients, which may require secondary revision surgery. MSU researchers have recently discovered that metabolic reprogramming and altered bioenergetics is a key reason for the adverse immune responses and have developed a novel means of reducing them by the incorporation of metabolic inhibitors into the implanted materials.

Description of the Technology

This technology utilizes various small molecule inhibitors incorporated into the implant material to target metabolic pathways in key immune cells. The presence, and then release of these inhibitors during the breakdown of polyethylene-based implants, inhibits different steps of the glycolytic pathway and prevents undesired inflammation. A variety of types of inhibitors can be incorporated into the implant such as on the surface or dispersed in the material depending on the application. The implementation of these small molecule inhibitors into biomedical implants enables the safe application in soft- and hard- tissue regeneration, nanomedicine, and drug delivery. This technology has currently been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo.

Benefits

Results in less inflammation resulting from polyethylene implants
Potential to recruit stem cells for tissue regeneration
Applicable to both human and animal implants
Flexible design and formulation depending on application and implant size
Can be used for bone, cartilage, tendon, skin and other tissues
Prevents need for secondary surgery or medical intervention

Applications

Human orthopedics
Veterinary (including but not limited to equine, porcine, canine, feline) orthopedics
Sports medicine
Dental applications
Soft tissue regeneration
Ophthalmologic medications
Drug delivery